Apple notches win against Android (week in review)

Apple scored a legal victory in its legal tussle with Samsung Electronics over Android devices.

Apple has been granted a preliminary injunction by a German court that bans the Samsung's Galaxy Tab 10.1 from being sold in nearly all European Union nations. The ban includes all nations in the EU except for the Netherlands. As with prior complaints, Apple claims the Galaxy Tab is illegally copying technology used in the iPad.

The battle is part of a wider conflict between Apple and the various companies supporting Android. With Google's mobile software gaining momentum, Apple is attempting to take the wind out of Android's sails with lawsuits against several of its key supporters.

Meanwhile, the U.S. International Trade Commission, which has the power to block imports, will review Apple's claim that the HTC violated five of its patents for technology Apple says is used in a dozen Android smartphones and the Flyer tablet.
 New Apple patents cover touch-screen, voice mail tech
 Apple sues Motorola over Xoom design, report says

The hacktivist group says it will take action on the symbolic (for Brits and "V for Vendetta" fans) date of November 5, Guy Fawkes Day. The reason for the intended destruction? Why, privacy.
 Is Anonymous unanimous on Facebook plot?
 Anonymous takes over Syrian government site

The carrier plans to offer hosted collaboration services that will target businesses as it looks to tap into another growth area.
 Why Time Warner rules the cloud
 Amazon cloud outage downs Netflix, Quora
 How much iCloud storage will you need?

The landline phone company and its workers in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states are too far apart in their contract negotiations, and union leaders call their first strike in 11 years.
 Verizon strikers organizing through Facebook
 Verizon reportedly blocking tethering for jailbreakers
 Verizon CFO: We expected the next iPhone sooner

Google's social network has finally begun the rollout of games, letting Google+ users play social Web games without leaving the site.
 Massachusetts woman sues over Gmail snooping
 FTC looking into Android, too, in Google probe

The company says that all users are now on the "New Twitter" design that it launched in September.
 New Twitter features focus on you, those you follow
 Twitter acquires gear-sharing site Bagcheck
 Twitpic founder says Heello to Twitter clone